Condé Nast House & Garden hosted the eagerly awaited Gourmet Restaurant Awards, in partnership with Whirlpool and Waterfall Corner, on 18 October 2018. The awards honoured the most talented establishments and individuals that have made their mark on South Africa’s culinary sphere. The event took place at Life Grand Café in Waterfall Corner.

An event celebrating South Africa’s culinary elite cannot be held without a tempting menu of foods. Life Grand Café served a delectable lunch that began with a sushi spread, including Volcano Rolls made with fresh tuna and avocado, and Crispy Crab prepared with soft shell crab, black sushi rice and cream cheese. The tables were elegantly decorated with snacks such as green bean, cauliflower and onion pickles, biltong and hummus.​The main course consisted of grilled prawns bathed in Café de Paris butter, baby kingklip and chicken souvla. Added to the array of dishes was 90 day, dry-aged steak on boards, Greek roasted potatoes, roasted vegetables, jus and foraged mushroom sauce. For dessert, guests could indulge in artisanal winelands cheeses displayed on a cheese installation, as well as baklava shards, popcorn panacotta and death by chocolate.

The event ended off on a delightful note as guests were spoilt with a goodie bag filled with luxurious products from Healing Earth. These included the Lemon Verbena Shower Gel and Body Lotion, Healing Ocean Hand & Body Wash and Coffee, Cinnamon & Orange Polish. The goodie bag also contained wooden spoons and cutting boards from Whirlpool, and a copy of the November issue of Condé Nast House & Garden, featuring a special section for Gourmet.

Awards and winner/s of each award​FINE DININGThis award was handed to three restaurants in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, with a runner- up being selected in each city. These restaurants meticulously prepare and present each of their dishes, paired with unusual and inspired wine selections.JohannesburgWinner: NCWRunner up: Restaurant MosaicCape TownWinner: The Test Kitchen Runner up: GreenhouseDurbanWinner: The Chef’s Table Runner up: 9 th Avenue Bistro

EATERIESLike the Fine Dining award, this award was given to three eateries in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, and a runner-up was chosen in each city. Each recipient neverfails to serve irresistible fare with that unmistakeable it-factor.JohannesburgWinner: Bellagio Runner up: 1920Cape TownWinner: Between Us Runner up: La TêteDurbanWinner: Bel PuntoRunner up: Indian Summer

YOUNG CHEF: CHEF CANDICE PHILIPChef Candice Philip, who was trained by Luke Dale- Roberts and David Higgs, is the dining scene’s newest master. She heads up the kitchen at Grei, the recently relaunched fine dining restaurant at The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR: SAINTSaint is a pioneering establishment that has made a powerful impact on the restaurant scene thanks to not only its Italian food, but service, aesthetic and overall experience.

DESIGN: TONIC DESIGNCreatives Philippe van der Merwe and Greg Gamble of Tonic Design, are the brains behind the modern interiors of Sandton restaurant, The Course.

MODERN AFRICAN: CHEF COCO REINHARZChef Coco Reinarhz of fine dining eatery Epicure, was trained in Belgium and whips up dishes with a variety of ingredients from across Africa, in a manner that celebrates their origin yet enhances their offering.​WINELANDS: THE WERF RESTAURANT AT BOSCHENDAL​The Werf Restaurant at Boschendal is a standout establishment that embodies the best that the Cape Winelands region has to offer, with novelty, allure and originality.